G/SPS/GEN/1913  
 
11 June 2021 
(21-4815) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMATION ON SPS -RELATED ACTIVITIES OF  
THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE (ITC)  
(MARCH -JUNE  2021 ) 
COMMUNICATION FROM ITC 
The following communication, received on 9 June 2021, is being c irculated at the request of the  ITC. 
 
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The International Trade Centre is continuing its efforts to assist enterprises to meet technical market 
requirements. An update of selected SPS -related activities of interest to WTO Members is provided 
below.  
1  PROJECTS  
1.1  Malaysia Arise Plus Project (February 2021  - January 2024 / Donor European Union)  
1.1.  Implementation of this new project commenced to support inclusive and sustainable trade 
growth and poverty reduction in Malaysia, while contributing to economic integration in the 
ASEAN  region. Amongst its expected results is to enhance and disseminate sustainable practices in 
the agri -food sector, in line with ASEAN, international, and EU standards. Activities under this results 
area include building capacities of agriculture personnel, focusing on Ministry staff to engage in 
international institutions and to promote a sustainable agricultural industry and building institutional 
capacities of Malaysian certification bodies for agriculture and fishery products.  
1.2  EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade  Programme - MARKUP (July 2018 - July 2022 / Donor 
European Union ) 
1.2.  This project aims to contribute to the economic development of the EAC region (Burundi, 
Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda), with the specific objective to improve market access of 
agro-industrial crops and horticultural products such as avocado, cocoa, coffee, spices and tea to 
the European Union, and among the five EAC partners.  
1.3.  Implementation of GlobalG.A.P. among avocado producers in Kenya is ongoing with three 
producer groups having been certified. The nine producer groups in Tanzania that were certified last 
year have successfully undergone surveillance audits.  
1.4.  Implementation of quality improvement projects in enterprises in Kenya, Rwanda , Tanzania  
and Uganda by trained Qualit y Champions is ongoing. In Burundi, a number of enterprises in the 
tea, coffee and horticulture sectors are being supported to implement HACCP/ISO 22000 as well as 
private sustainability standards like Rainforest Alliance SAN standard.  
1.3  Uzbekistan - Facilit ating the Process of Accession to the WTO (February 2020 - 
February 2025 / Donor European Union ) 
1.5.  The project supports Uzbekistan's development plans to modernize its economy through 
leveraging the process of WTO accession. The overall objective is to contr ibute to the economic 
development of Uzbekistan by assisting the country to create a trade environment that is in 
conformity with international standards, including predictable and enforceable laws and regulations. G/SPS/GEN/1913  
 
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  The specific objective of the Action is t o create a trade environment that is in conformity with the 
World Trade Organization (WTO).  
1.6.  As part of reinforcing TBT and SPS related institutions and agencies, following a request from 
Uzstandard Agency, a series of online training workshops has been pla nned. The first three in the 
series, on implementing ISO 17025, ISO 17065 and auditing integrated management systems will 
be held between 16 June and 9 July 2021. Work is also commencing to review the food safety law 
to support improve d alignment to the SP S Agreement.  
1.4  Myanmar Trade -Related Assistance (Arise Plus – Myanmar)  (July 2019 - June 2023 / 
Donor European Union ) 
1.7.  The ARISE Plus project aims at building inclusive and sustainable trade growth in Myanmar 
through support to MSMEs in selected value chains (component 1), enhancing food safety and 
SPS compliance (component 2 – targeting tea, coffee, honey, horticulture products) and trade policy 
formulation and implementation (component 3). Under component 2 several activities related to 
building awareness on  standards and capacity of the private sectors are ongoing . 
1.8.  In the honey sector, remote follow up assistance is provided to advance with the food safety 
management system implementation in the participating companies and Standard Operating 
Procedures (SOPs ) are under development. A bee health management training video is under 
development for distribution to the Myanmar Honey Association, beekeepers and private sector local 
bee health trainers. Four brochures were drafted for traceability, hygiene, OIE list ed honeybee 
diseases and bee health management by using oxalic acid.  
1.9.  In the tea sector, discussion is in place with the Myanmar Tea Producers and Exporters 
Association (MTA) to initiate the support for the sector on market access, food safety, quality and 
SPS compliance. Fourteen trainers -cum-counsellors and 13 SMEs expressed interest to participate.  
1.10.   An initial version of the Myanmar Quality for Trade Platform was developed featuring quality 
requirements for selected product -market combinations (avocado, co ffee, honey and target 
EU market). A success story on EU market access of Myanmar honey was published on the Quality 
Success Module.  
1.11.   The project Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/ArisePlusM yanmar . 
1.12.   The ARISE Plus project with its component on SPS builds synergies with ARISE Plus Regional, 
and ITC 's ongoing projects through related quality and SPS components (e.g. Upgrading horticulture 
supply and sustainable tourism to develop business linkag es, UN Cluster on trade and productive 
capacity - funded by Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) trust fund in the 
development of food safety eLearning course).  
1.5  Tajikistan: Enabling market access for agricultural products through improved fo od 
safety system (March 2018 - February 202 2 / STDF - PG-447 implemented by ITC in 
collaboration with FAO in particular for output 1 on the regulatory control system)  
1.13.   The goal of the project is to improve the export competitiveness of Tajik SMEs and food s afety 
through better use of agri -chemicals and veterinary medicines with a focus on honey and apricot 
sectors. It enhances high value market access for Tajik agri -food producers and processors and 
increases the level of safety of Tajik domestic food by red ucing the risk of contamination and 
improving the systems of control and monitoring of agri -chemicals and veterinary medicines.  
1.14.   The competent authority for the National Residue Monitoring Plan (NRMP) for honey, the 
Committee on Food Security , submitted the  Plan to EU DG SANTE on 31 March 2021. In parallel, 
ITC supported the Tajik Government in the analysis of 104 honey samples at an accredited 
laboratory in Europe. The results of the analysis showed three non -compliant cases related to 
residues of veterinar y medicines and the related Investigation is currently ongoing, led by the 
competent authority with the support of the STDF national project coordinator. The project partner 
(FAO) continues its work on the general monitoring system of the country with rega rd to 
agrochemicals and veterinary medicines by carrying out a number online seminars to train the 
respective government officials.  G/SPS/GEN/1913  
 
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  1.15.   The information, education, and communication (IEC) strategy and implementation plan on 
usage of agrochemicals and veterinar y medicines was validated and well -received by 
Tajik counterparts. Preparations to hand it over to Tajik authorities for follow -up and implementation 
of selected activities are ongoing.  
1.16.   Two studies on creating market linkages between suppliers of honey and apricots in Tajikistan 
and national as well as international buyers were drafted. The results will be presented in two 
workshops (one for honey, one for apricots) in July.  
1.6  SYMST: Systematic Mechanism for Safer Trade ( Lao People's Democratic Repub lic and 
Viet Nam) (December 2018 – October 2022 / Donor European Union ) 
1.17.   The overall objective of the project is to improve food safety through better governance in 
Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet  Nam. The project aims to strengthen the regulatory  
framework for control of plant health and pesticides in the fruits and vegetable sector and other 
plant products through the application of norms and standards to improve market access.  
1.18.   In Lao People's Democratic Republic three field missions were conduct ed in the three  target 
provinces: 1) field survey on pesticides including training and sampling crops at the cultivation areas 
with workshop on pilot farm establishment in Luang Namtha province for watermelon; in Champasak 
for basil and chilli; in Vientian e Capital for rice; 2) field mission for pest management control with 
design of training ; and 3) field mission on review of enforcement of legislation. A workshop on 
EU regulations on plant health and food safety for the fruit and vegetable  sectors was con ducted 
online, where the lessons learnt from Thailand in complying with the measures was shared with 
more than 60  participants. A series of online training and consultations are planned in June (i.e. 
training on the EU TRACES system in the three target pro vinces, development of the EU manual for 
target fruit and vegetable  crops, training for lab technicians to analyse MRL s for target active 
ingredients).  
1.19.   In Viet Nam, the identification phase was completed with the selection of target products and 
markets (d ragon fruit, pomelo, and black pepper for export to the E uropean Union), SPS measures 
to address (target active ingredients, MRL s, EU quarantine pests),  and an  initial list of project 
beneficiaries willing to establish export pilot farming model s. The SYMS T action plan was validated 
at the hybrid -modality workshop in May 2021 with more than 50 participants. The project supported 
the translation of priority e Ping notifications relevant to the SYMST target crops and beneficiaries. 
A black pepper company appli ed to participate in the China International Import Export Fair and the 
confirmation to participate is under review. A series of online training workshops are planned in June 
and July subject to the evolution  of the COVID -19 2nd wave in the countries.  
1.7  Thailand ARISE Plus Project (November 2020 – October 2023 / Donor 
European  Union)  
1.20.   The new ITC implemented ARISE Plus Thailand Project, aims to support inclusive and 
sustainable economic growth through international trade in Thailand. It supports greater connectivity 
and economic integration between Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 
region in line with the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025.  
1.21.   Under this overall objective, ITC supports the enhancement and disseminatio n of organic 
agricultural practices in line with EU standards. In this context, the project aims at assisting the 
relevant departments of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) and private 
certification bodies on organic agriculture.  
1.22.   A workshop on the new EU regulation for organic production was carried out in March. 
The event was attended by 190 participants and launched the programme component on organic 
agriculture.  
1.23.   Upcoming activities are training sessions on certification of (organi c) products according to 
ISO/IEC 17065, an IRCA approved lead auditor training for ISO 9001, an awareness campaign on 
organic production as well as the development of training materials on organic agriculture.  G/SPS/GEN/1913  
 
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  1.8  Lao ARISE Plus Project (201 8-2022 / Donor Euro pean Union ) 
1.24.   A team of future Quality Champions (QCs) continued to be trained and developed. These QCs 
will support Lao SMEs as trainers and coaches in the area of quality management and food safety. 
They will be trained and qualified over the next eight months. Seven of out 12 technical workshops 
were implemented online during the period. Subjects included international quality requirements, 
process improvement, Lean Six Greenbelt training, training and communication skills. Further work 
on the Lao Quality for Trade Platform – including food safety requirements – was completed for 
Lao coffee to a group of destination markets.  
1.25.   The implementation of the recommendations for strengthening the conformity assessment 
services validated by stakeholders has started. The gap assessment of the National Enquiry Points 
and National Notification Authorities on SPS and TBT is ongoing and the training on transparency 
provision s is planned for June. A cooperation is established with the Centre of Medical Science of 
Thailand a nd the Food and Drug Department of Lao to provide assistance to strengthen the pesticides 
and chemical laboratory. Five posters developed by Codex, WHO and others have been identified by 
the Food and Drug Department for translation/reproduction to sensitis e on COVID -19 and hygiene.  
1.9  Pakistan: Growth for rural advancement and sustainable progress ( June 2019 – 
December 2024 / Donor European Union)  
1.26.   ITC is implementing the EU funded 'Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress ' 
(GRASP) project which ai ms to contribute to the reduction of poverty through development of rural 
MSMEs in selected districts within two provinces of Pakistan: Balochistan and Sindh. GRASP will 
focus on selected product lines within livestock and horticulture.  
1.27.   In the context of t his project, ITC is providing support to strengthen the SPS authorities in 
the two provinces , which include the food safety authorities and the departments dealing with plant 
health and animal health. The project will also provide support to MSMEs to impro ve quality and 
food safety of their products.  
1.28.   During the period under report, based on the assessments of the food authorities in Sindh 
and Balochistan, further support is being provided to them in a number of areas including purchasing 
and operationalizin g laboratory equipment, developing regulations and SOPs, building capacity of 
officials among others. With regards to slaughterhouses, ITC has developed food safety manuals for 
slaughterhouses based on best international practices and halal standards and w ill be building 
capacity of slaughterhouses and MSMEs to improve their quality and SPS compliance. In addition, 
ITC will also develop materials and train relevant provincial officers at district level to improve 
compliance of slaughterhouses. At the enterp rise level, ITC is also working with MSMEs (farmers and 
processors) in rural Sindh and Balochistan to improve their quality, SPS and food safety awareness 
through GAP and GMP modules.  
1.10  EU–Bhutan Trade Support Project (201 2–2023 / Donor European Union)  
1.29.   The s pecific objective of the Project is to increase export diversification, contributing to the 
implementation of the "Brand Bhutan" initiative, by improving the capacities of trade and investment 
policy formulation and implementation, and increasing exports i n two selected value chains, 
i.e. horticulture (ginger/turmeric, mushrooms, and yak dairy) and textile handicrafts.  
1.30.   Under the sub -output on "Export and quality management capacities of stakeholders - from 
farmers to exporters - along the horticulture value  chain built and coordination improved", 
ITC provides a hands -on step -by-step training programme on food hygiene and food safety based 
on CODEX HACCP for Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) staff and SMEs 
spread over 10 -12 months. The programme started in March for a pool of 14 Trainers -cum-
Counsellors (TcCs) (12 from BAFRA) and 12 enterprises in ginger, turmeric, mushrooms and yak 
dairy products.  
1.11  Covid -19 related measures  
1.31.   Under a new Arise Plus Philippines project, support to Bureau of  Philippine Standards to 
develop standards related to Covid, and to export -oriented operators and national quality G/SPS/GEN/1913  
 
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  infrastructure bodies to boost exports related to personal protective equipment, and related medical 
devices, as well awareness raising mater ials related to fighting Covid have been incorporated.  
For more information, please contact:  
Khemraj Ramful , Senior Adviser, Export Quality Management, ITC  
Tel: +41 22 730 04 87  
Fax: +41 22 730 05 76  
E-mail: ramfu l@intracen.org  
 
Hema Menon , Trade Training Officer, Export Quality Management, ITC  
Tel: +41 22 730 0 5 84 
Fax: +41 22 730 05 76  
E-mail: menon@intracen.org  
 
ITC EXPORT QUALITY MANAGEMENT  
Website : http://www.intracen.org/eqm  
Twitter : http://www.twitter.com/ITCstandards  
 
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